καθεξῆς
kathexēs
G2517 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
In sequence, in order, one after another; denotes an arrangement of events, persons, statements, or actions in a temporal or logical sequence. It can describe something that occurs in a consecutive, orderly fashion, or something presented step-by-step, often as a narrative sequence. As an adverb, it indicates the order of occurrence or arrangement.
Semantic Range
in sequence, in consecutive order, successively, one after another, step-by-step, in due course, in orderly arrangement, subsequently
Root / Etymology
Formed from the preposition κατά ('according to', 'by', 'down') and the adverb ἑξῆς ('in order', 'next', 'following', literally 'in succession'). The compound emphasizes the idea of 'in succession' or 'according to sequence'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἑξῆς primarily conveyed the idea of 'in turn' or 'in succession'. The prefixed form καθεξῆς is less common until Hellenistic and Koine periods, where it takes on the sense of 'in consecutive order.' In the New Testament, it is especially found in contexts narrating events (e.g., Luke 1:3, Acts 11:4), emphasizing careful or methodical sequence in recounting a story or list. Standard English translations often render it as 'in order', 'successively', 'in succession', or 'one after another'. The term points to both temporal and logical continuity rather than mere adjacency. It may serve as an adverb or with nominal reference (by ellipsis of the implied noun, e.g., 'the next person or thing'). The sense of 'afterward' or 'thereafter' is thus secondary to the overriding nuance of ordered arrangement, which remains its core meaning in Koine Greek, as distinct from more general terms for 'later' or 'after'. In the Septuagint and contemporary Jewish-Greek literature, its use focuses on orderly arrangement rather than mere chronology.
Translation Consistency
καθεξῆς denotes things occurring one after another or in sequence. “Successively” is a natural, single-word adverb that captures the sense of consecutive/step-by-step order used in most contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and ἑξῆς; thereafter, i.e. consecutively; as a noun (by ellipsis of noun) a subsequent person or time:--after(-ward), by (in) order.
Root Family
καθεξῆς (kathexēs) — in order, in sequence, successive
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2517-01 |
καθεξῆς | kathexes | ADV |
in order | in orderly sequence | successively | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2517-01 |
Luke 1:3 | καθεξῆς | kathexes | ADV |
in order | in orderly sequence | successively |
G2517-01 |
Luke 8:1 | καθεξῆς | kathexes | ADV |
afterward | in orderly sequence | successively |
G2517-01 |
Acts 3:24 | καθεξῆς | kathexes | ADV |
in order | in orderly sequence | successively |
G2517-01 |
Acts 11:4 | καθεξῆς | kathexes | ADV |
in order | in orderly sequence | successively |
G2517-01 |
Acts 18:23 | καθεξῆς | kathexes | ADV |
in order | in orderly sequence | successively |